Alyssa’s guidebook
Bars
This is the closest local bar, that serves tasty snacks (think pierogis/kielbasa) and craft beers. Also, check them out for brunch!
Black Cat Tavern on 12th
2654 S 12th StThis is the closest local bar, that serves tasty snacks (think pierogis/kielbasa) and craft beers. Also, check them out for brunch!
Just a short walk from our home, this is where you go to get drunk and ride a mechanical bull after sports.
68 locals recommend
Xfinity Live!
1100 Pattison AveJust a short walk from our home, this is where you go to get drunk and ride a mechanical bull after sports.
Awesome selection of beers, lots of vegan food options, punk vibes.
87 locals recommend
Pub On Passyunk East - POPE
1501 E Passyunk AveAwesome selection of beers, lots of vegan food options, punk vibes.
Time
1315 Sansom StLocated in Center City, it’s a go-to spot for live music, dancing, fun!
Dirty Franks
347 S 13th StIconic Philadelphia dive-bar in Center City
Fun rooftop bar located on top of an old school building in south philly. It offers up snacks, brews and the best view of the city.
62 locals recommend
Bok Bar
800 Mifflin StFun rooftop bar located on top of an old school building in south philly. It offers up snacks, brews and the best view of the city.
If you want to experience a south philly dive bar staple, go here. Cigarette smoke, quizzo/bingo/karaoke, it’s got it all.
15 locals recommend
Blue Duck on Broad
220 S Broad StIf you want to experience a south philly dive bar staple, go here. Cigarette smoke, quizzo/bingo/karaoke, it’s got it all.
Awesome bar/restaurant super close to our house. They have amazing margaritas and a huge mezcal list!
10 locals recommend
Frida Cantina
1000 Wolf StAwesome bar/restaurant super close to our house. They have amazing margaritas and a huge mezcal list!
Iconic philly dive bar located in center city. Home of the legendary city-wide.
305 locals recommend
Bob and Barbara's Lounge
1509 South StreetIconic philly dive bar located in center city. Home of the legendary city-wide.
Super close bar with a batting cage, pool, bowling and arcade games.
17 locals recommend
South Bowl Lounge N Lanes
19 E Oregon AveSuper close bar with a batting cage, pool, bowling and arcade games.
SouthHouse
2535 S 13th StGreat neighborhood bar, just a few blocks from our house. Solid wings.
Sightseeing
Freaky medical oddity museum. Highly recommend if you’re a weirdo, not for the squeamish.
333 locals recommend
First Food Market
116 S 21st StFreaky medical oddity museum. Highly recommend if you’re a weirdo, not for the squeamish.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyEven if you don’t go in, at least run up the steps.
Museum of the American Revolution
101 S 3rd StSuper cool museum
This is one of my favorite places in Philadelphia, make sure to stop at Rim Cafe, eat cheese at DiBruno’s, get some Mexican, grab a drink at 12 Steps Down (smoking bar FYI), and head to Garage where you can play skee-ball.
419 locals recommend
Italian Market
919 S 9th StThis is one of my favorite places in Philadelphia, make sure to stop at Rim Cafe, eat cheese at DiBruno’s, get some Mexican, grab a drink at 12 Steps Down (smoking bar FYI), and head to Garage where you can play skee-ball.
Really cool spot to go with hammocks, beer garden, food and great views
317 locals recommend
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus BlvdReally cool spot to go with hammocks, beer garden, food and great views
Roller skating in the warm months, river front ice skating in the winter, food and booze available.
53 locals recommend
Blue Cross RiverRink
101 S Christopher Columbus BlvdRoller skating in the warm months, river front ice skating in the winter, food and booze available.
Go here and go hungry! Huge indoor food market in center city with tons of vendors.
739 locals recommend
Reading Terminal Market
1136 N 12th StGo here and go hungry! Huge indoor food market in center city with tons of vendors.
Super whimsical mural maze and art space created by a local artist
385 locals recommend
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
1020 South StSuper whimsical mural maze and art space created by a local artist
Take a walk, rent a bike, or just find a spot in the grass to people watch.
204 locals recommend
Boathouse Row
1 Boathouse RowTake a walk, rent a bike, or just find a spot in the grass to people watch.
Food scene
One of the absolute best dining experiences ever. Local Israeli restaurant, award wining chef, named best restaurant in America 2019. Located in old city.
138 locals recommend
Zahav
237 St James PlOne of the absolute best dining experiences ever. Local Israeli restaurant, award wining chef, named best restaurant in America 2019. Located in old city.
Rittenhouse Square restaurant that has won national awards. Treat yo self
93 locals recommend
Vernick Food & Drink
2031 Walnut StRittenhouse Square restaurant that has won national awards. Treat yo self
Awesome food, awesome people. Chef was featured on Netflix’s Mind of a Chef, I recommend watching and learning her story before/after your visit. GET THE BARBACOA. Located in the Italian Market.
39 locals recommend
South Philly Barbacoa
1134 S 9th StAwesome food, awesome people. Chef was featured on Netflix’s Mind of a Chef, I recommend watching and learning her story before/after your visit. GET THE BARBACOA. Located in the Italian Market.
Dope spot in center city I love sitting at the bar here, one of the best cocktail programs in the city with food to back it up.
33 locals recommend
Friday Saturday Sunday
261 S 21st StDope spot in center city I love sitting at the bar here, one of the best cocktail programs in the city with food to back it up.
Cafe Nhan
1606 W Passyunk AveThe tastiest Vietnamese food. Get the bún bò hue! Located in south philly!
Delicious Mexican at a good price. Mole enchiladas are awesome and it’s super close!
24 locals recommend
Los Gallos
951 Wolf StDelicious Mexican at a good price. Mole enchiladas are awesome and it’s super close!
Melrose Diner
1501 - 1527 Snyder AveClose diner, that serves up food 24/7
Get your sweet fix here! Outstanding hot chocolate and cannolis! Located in the Italian Market.
21 locals recommend
Rim Cafe
1172 S 9th StGet your sweet fix here! Outstanding hot chocolate and cannolis! Located in the Italian Market.
While there are tons of Italian byob restaurants in South Philly, this is my absolute favorite. You walk-in the front door and immediately find yourself in the kitchen, watching all the action happen. Once seated in the dining room, you will experience great service & delicious home cooked Italian. It’s dangerously close to our home.
17 locals recommend
L'Angolo Ristorante
1415 W Porter StWhile there are tons of Italian byob restaurants in South Philly, this is my absolute favorite. You walk-in the front door and immediately find yourself in the kitchen, watching all the action happen. Once seated in the dining room, you will experience great service & delicious home cooked Italian. It’s dangerously close to our home.
Hardena
1754 S Hicks StAward winning Indonesian food in an unassuming South Philly location.
Cheesesteaks!
If you want food at 3am, this place is the spot. 24 hr cheesesteak joint. Conveniently located about 3 blocks away
7 locals recommend
Oregon Steaks
2654 S 10th StIf you want food at 3am, this place is the spot. 24 hr cheesesteak joint. Conveniently located about 3 blocks away
Tony Luke's
39 E Oregon AveIconic “real deal” South Philly cheesesteak right down the street.
The actual favorite sandwich of Philadelphia, the roast pork! South philly staple beloved by construction workers and businessmen alike.
45 locals recommend
John's Roast Pork
14 Snyder AveThe actual favorite sandwich of Philadelphia, the roast pork! South philly staple beloved by construction workers and businessmen alike.
Neighborhoods
China Town
Great food & local shopping
Cobblestone streets, loads of museums, and oh yeah, the liberty bell! Plus lots of bars, restaurants & local shops to support!
258 locals recommend
Old City District
231 Market StCobblestone streets, loads of museums, and oh yeah, the liberty bell! Plus lots of bars, restaurants & local shops to support!
Fishtown
Hip, young and brimming with art & murals
Take a stroll down 2nd St for local shopping & quite a few spots to stop for a bite and some booze.
69 locals recommend
Northern Liberties
Take a stroll down 2nd St for local shopping & quite a few spots to stop for a bite and some booze.
The poshest part of town, this is where to go to shop high-end stores & drink rose while people watching near the park. Come to see & be seen.
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StThe poshest part of town, this is where to go to shop high-end stores & drink rose while people watching near the park. Come to see & be seen.